Ava DuVernay & L.A. Launch Hollywood Diversity Initiative

Ava DuVernay teamed up with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti as well as Netflix, HBO and Dan Lin to launch a $5 million diversity program that will bring some much-needed color to lily-white Hollywood, per Deadline.

“The new program, called the Evolve Entertainment Fund, is set to begin this summer and will initially assist 150 interns for the coming summer, with the goal to increase the number to 500 by 2020. The money will not use tax dollars but will be financed through fundraising,” The Root reports.

“As we radically reimagine Hollywood, it is critically important that young people are included in our vision,” DuVernay said today at the unveiling of the Evolve Entertainment Fund in Los Angeles.

“Real change happens when we take tangible action, and that means giving young women and people of color opportunities in the industry early on so they have the chance to shape its future,” she added of the new partnership between the City of L.A, studios, networks and nonprofits that seeks to provide placement in the industry for those traditionally left on the outside.

“What is one thing that people can do to instigate inclusion on film set? Hire a woman,” Oscar nominee DuVernay also made a point of noting. “Films directed by women have 76% percent more inclusion across people of color and women.”

via Deadline:

With emphasis on creating TV, film and digital career opportunities for people of color, women and low-income residents of the City of Angles and securing mini-grants and placement for eligible filmmakers, the newly announced EEF has already established 150 paid summer internships for students participating in the HIRE LA’s Youth program working with 9-1-1 EP Murphy’s production company, DreamWorks Animation and Kobe Bryant’s Granity Studios. The hope is that the trajectory of those internships will expand to 250 by the end of the year, and up to 500 placements by 2020.

“We created the Evolve Entertainment Fund to give people in underserved communities a new opportunity to chase their dreams in Hollywood, whether they want to be the next award-winning director or screenwriter, or are looking to secure a future in below-the-line jobs that are the bedrock of this city’s middle class,” LA Mayor Eric Garcetti told the crowd gathered Monday at the newly minted Historic Filipinotown based Rideback Ranch HQ of The LEGO Movie producer Dan Lin, who serves on the EEF Advisory Board.